The Replacement Wife by Eileen Goudge

Author:Eileen Goudge
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9781453223314
Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media LLC
Published: 2012-04-24T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

“By the way, Ruth enjoyed her lunch with Camille,” Hugh remarked as he and Edward were toweling off in the locker room after their showers, following a vigorous game of racquetball at Hugh’s athletic club. Their wives had met for lunch the previous week.

“Camille enjoyed it, too.” Edward kept his voice light, but at the mention of his wife, he felt the muscles loosened by his workout start to tighten again.

Hugh, naked as a Sasquatch and just as hairy, reached for his boxers. “Ruth thought she looked well, considering. Other than being much too thin, of course. Though if anyone can remedy that, it’s my Ruthie. You know her, she never met a knish or a kugel that didn’t have someone’s name on it. Usually mine.” He chuckled and patted his ample belly.

“All donations gratefully received. We never say no to Ruth’s cooking.”

“You could use some fattening up, too, my friend,” Hugh observed, shooting him a pointed glance. Edward had lost weight in the past weeks, not enough to be noticeable, in terms of girth, but enough to accentuate the haggard look he wore. “Just remember, you won’t be much good to your wife if you don’t take care of yourself.”

Edward gave a dry laugh. “I’m not much good to her either way, it seems.”

Hugh paused to eye him gravely. “You’re doing what you can. The rest is in God’s hands.”

But not in the control of Camille’s oncology team, it appeared. It had been eight weeks since they’d started her on the new drug, and so far she’d shown no sign of improvement. She was no worse, but Edward took little comfort in that, knowing it was likely due to the chemo, which was aimed at slowing the progression of the disease. “No disrespect, but I don’t have much faith in God right now,” he said. “Or in the miracles of modern medicine.”

“Give it time. It’s too soon to say.”

“Time? I’m afraid we’re running a little low on that,” Edward replied with a bitter laugh, and then at the concerned look Hugh gave him, he thought, Jesus, I sound like the Grim Reaper. He went on, in a forcibly upbeat voice, “But you’re right—it’s too soon to say. Hopefully, we’ll see some results in the next few weeks. We should know more with the next batch of tests.”

“In the meantime, your wife isn’t the only one in need of looking after,” Hugh said. “You’re not eating, you’re not sleeping, and frankly it shows—you look like hell. You should see someone.”

Edward paused as he was pulling his clothes from his locker. “You mean a shrink?”

Hugh ignored the disdain in his voice. “It wouldn’t hurt. You have a lot on your plate right now, and since you won’t talk to me . . .” He trailed off. “I could give you some names, if you like.” Edward shrugged in response, keeping his back turned. A moment later, a meaty hand fell on his shoulder. He turned to find Hugh eyeing him with concern.

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